Improving Access to Apprenticeships for Black and Minority Ethnic Young People

Promoting and Celebrating Diversity in Apprenticeships

A one-day Conference & Exhibition on 4 June 2015

Time: 09.30-14.00

Incorporating the Waltham Forest Apprenticeship Diversity Awards

at

Queens Road Learning Centre, Walthamstow, London E17 8QR

Due to the success of our Improving Access to Apprenticeships for BME Young People conference that took place on 29 May 2014, CareerPaths Online is organising another conference: Promoting and Celebrating Diversity in Apprenticeships, on 4 June 2015 at Queens Road Learning Centre, Walthamstow. This unique conference aims to bring together employers who have been successfully recruiting apprentices from diverse backgrounds to share their experience and good practice with other businesses that may be considering taking on an apprentice. The conference also aims to invite young people to meet employers looking to recruit apprentices. Waltham Forest Apprenticeships Diversity Awards The conference incorporates the First Waltham Forest Apprenticeship Diversity Awards, which will recognise and celebrate those businesses in Waltham Forest and immediately adjacent London boroughs that have shown commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion when recruiting apprentices during 2014 Careers Workshops The event is also open to young people, offering them the opportunity to attend careers workshops and to meet employers looking to recruit apprentices. The Challenge At present, only 10% of apprentices in England are from BME communities, in spite of the fact that 25% of online apprenticeship vacancy applications are from BME individuals. The Mayor of London has set an overall target of 250,000 apprenticeship starts by the end of the 2016 academic year. However, as the recent London Assembly report ‘Trained in London’ states: ‘Recently published data by the Greater London Authority (GLA) demonstrates the substantial challenge that exists to meet the target number of apprenticeships. Data for the first three quarters of 2013/14 shows that while 29,980 apprenticeships were created, a further 26,224 starts are needed to meet the target in the final quarter alone. Overall, we need a 19 per cent year-on-year increase in thenumber of new apprenticeships created to achieve the Mayor’s manifesto target.’ This report also shows that sectors such as construction, ICT, leisure, travel and tourism are among the worst performing sectors in terms of the proportion of apprenticeships created per 100 employees. Recognising the value of diversity in apprentice recruitment and improving access to apprenticeships for all young people can play a significant role in meeting the Mayor’s target, filling skills gaps in key industries and boosting London’s economy, as well as improving the lives of young people across London. Exhibitors There will be local employers and apprenticeship training providers exhibiting at the event who will be actively recruiting apprentices.